Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Dance, Ritual, Traditions, and More
Monique Walker
Join certified Master Teacher Monique Walker for a special workshop introducing the Umfundalai contemporary African dance technique. Created in 1970 by dance scholar, the late Kariamu Welsh, D. Arts, Umfundalai comprises its movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the African Diaspora. The literal word, Umfundalai, means “essential” in Kiswahili. Much like Katherine Dunham, Welsh has designed a stylized movement practice that seeks to articulate an essence of African – oriented movement or as she has described, “an approach to movement that is holistic, body centric and organic.” Participants will have a comprehensive experience of the technique that includes a dance class to live drumming, making their class own attire, and learning basic rhythm patterns. Experienced and non-experienced dancers are welcomed.
Based in Waldorf, Monique Walker has traveled the world as a performer, educator, and choreographer. She specializes in contemporary African dance and has studied from many dance masters and institutions including Chuck Davis, Katherine Dunham, The School at Jacob’s Pillow, and Dr. Kariamu Welsh. Monique is a Master Teacher of the Umfundalai dance technique and teaches it at CityDance’s School & Conservatory (MD) and the Viva School of Dance (DC). She is a guest lecturer at Drexel University (PA) and has served on the dance faculties at North Carolina State University and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Monique is the former Assistant to the Artistic Director of Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble and former principal dancer with Kariamu & Company: Traditions. Her mission of using dance, music, and theater as a vehicle for the preservation, promotion, and innovation of African Diasporan dance is evident in her choreography that has been presented across the country.